Grover Cleveland March 18, 1837 Caldwell, New Jersey - June 24, 1908 Princeton, New Jersey Political Party: Democrat Terms: 1st Term- March 4, 1885 - March 4, 1889 2nd Term- March 4, 1893 - March 4, 1897 Vice Presidents: 1st Term-Thomas A. Hendricks 2nd Term- Adlai Stevenson
Thematic Context During Cleveland’s time in office, globalization was provided with the right conditions to grow in future Presidencies. Still an isolationist country recovering from the Civil War, Cleveland was faced with the daunting decision of continuing the isolationist tradition, or expanding foreign policy. Coming into office with an annual surplus in the Treasury, Cleveland may have been tempted to take a more involved role in foreign countries. In his best interest, Cleveland decided to spend his time focusing on domestic issues. Still facing tensions from slavery, the Supreme Court decided to hear a case involving segregation. Little did they know the case of Plessy v. Ferguson would become a landmark decision. Upholding the Constitutionality of segregational state laws, the decision ruled blacks “separate but equal.” Perhaps all that had been won through the Civil War would struggle to find a social victory in the hearts of many Americans. Still unwilling to grant blacks a victory, this case may have discouraged people of foreign nationalities to come to America in fear they would be treated unjustly. It may have shown that America was not always fighting for a moral cause as it had always claimed to have tried to do. Not only was America struggling to make social gains, but economic systems were also sputtering. During his famous “Cross of Gold” speech, William Jennings Bryan captivated citizens, through the use of Bible imagery, to fight for free silver. Hoping to rally debtors, Bryan was hoping to use silver to make goods more valuable than currency so that debtors could pay off their debts to creditors. Continuing the divide political parties, this battle became pivotal to Presidential elections and international trade. Cleveland proved to be able to handle most of the financial troubles plaguing the nation, but failed to solve social matters. In the long run, Cleveland simply served as a foundation for the growing role of economic globalization, which would later branch off into political and social globalization.
Thesis Statement Grover Cleveland and his administration deserve a C for their contributions while in office. Thrown into both times of prosperity and depression, Cleveland responded accordingly by addressing the surplus and previous legislation which was hampering the economic systems. Although severe economic differences lengthened the gap between political parties, Cleveland was able to push aside the political demographics and stabilize the economy. Cleveland set up commissions to oversee rampant monopolistic business, which was causing severe strikes and tensions among competition. However Cleveland lost the faith of his followers because of several impulsive decisions which too closely combined big business with the government. Cleveland was far from outstanding, but still managed to drag the United States onward during his time in office.
Goals Grover Cleveland, a President during the Reconstruction period, took it upon himself to speak of the state of the economy during his first inaugural address. Cleveland mentions, “We should never be ashamed of the simplicity and prudential economies which are best suited to the operation of a republican form of government and most compatible with the mission of the American people.” He wanted to express his deep interest in the heart of America. His deep interest in the Republican heartland of the time stemmed from small New England towns to rural parts of the Midwest, who he believed could regulate the economy and control the moral affairs of the time. Cleveland also took it upon himself to preach of foreign policy. As the frontier faded, Americans would have to travel abroad to expand markets and acquire more land. Cleveland referenced James Monroe in his speech regarding foreign policy when he stated, “"Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliance with none.” Cleveland hoped to develop domestically and avoid a costly relationship with a foreign country, which could greatly hamper the growth of a country still recovering from a debilitating war. In his second inaugural address, Cleveland once again addressed the economy by addressing the money which it relied on. Cleveland thundered, “Manifestly nothing is more vital to our supremacy as a nation and to the beneficent purposes of our Government than a sound and stable currency.” Foreshadowing the upcoming currency battle, Cleveland initiated the fight to stay on the gold standard and fight against bimetallism and the ghastly William Jennings Bryan. Cleveland took to heart that a stable currency was one leap towards a stable economy. President Cleveland also took it upon himself to speak of the great waste of public funds. Cleveland acknowledged that the waste of public money is a crime against the citizen. As one of his underlying schemes, Cleveland was trying to destroy useless actions which sapped the strength of the national character.
Relationship With Congress Cleveland entered his first term shouldering a large tariff, which was utilized during the Civil War to pay for the costly military expenditures. Exploding American industry loved the benefits of a high tariff, which piled up a surplus and a vast amount of revenue for the use of the government. But Cleveland and most of the country viewed the surplus as embarrassing because Congress was practically shoveling money into the pockets veterans and other self-seeking groups. Hoping to lower prices for consumers and falter the foundation of monopolies, Cleveland petitioned for a low tariff, in which Congress passed to his pleasing. Furthermore, with free silver trying to rumble the economic foundations of the United States, Cleveland was forced to put on his armor to fight for the gold standard. Once the gold reserve dropped below one hundred million dollars in the treasury, Cleveland was forced to work with an exhausted Congress to repeal the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890. Although there was usually heated debate over the daunting economic issues between Democrats and Republicans, Congress worked well with Grover to stabilize and push the economy through Reconstruction.
Positive Event Grover Cleveland’s best decision came in the form of a repeal. When the gold reserve in the Treasury reached one hundred million dollars, which was the safe minimum to support the outstanding three hundred fifty million dollars, Cleveland pushed a bill through Congress to repeal the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890. At the time, paper notes were being backed by silver bullion the Treasury purchased and could be exchanged for gold. Free silver advocates partition for a bimetal system, in which silver would be treated the same as gold when silver bullion was exchanged between citizens and the mints. However Cleveland feared free silver would push America off the gold standard and create severe tension between debtors and creditors. Cleveland also acknowledged the consequences of free silver, which could choke off international trade in fear of shaky United States credit. Ultimately deciding to side with the growing Populists and Republicans, Cleveland solidified the push to stay on the gold standard. In preventing bimetallism, Cleveland allowed American business to flourish in foreign markets for years to come. If Cleveland had decided to back free silver, the steel and oil industries may have been confined to American markets. Cleveland was able to foresee the dangers of free silver and find support to keep the United States on the gold standard, which may have been a factor in America’s industrial expansion and growing foreign relations.
Negative Event Perhaps Cleveland’s greatest nightmare came after Cleveland and Congress repealed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890. Hoping to prevent the gold reserve in the treasury from reaching critical levels and ultimately running the United States off the gold standard, Cleveland fought off free silver advocates, all the while passing the Act to prevent the rapid bleeding of gold. But as time passing, gold continued to flow out of the treasury and reached an alarming forty one million dollars. Cleveland contemplated the effects of going off the gold standard, which would surely cripple any American attempt of international trade. With his back shoved against the wall, Cleveland turned to the J.P. Morgan, the “bankers banker.” Morgan agreed to lend the United States government sixty five million dollars in gold, which would temporarily fix the treasury. The public ended up exploding with haste over the apparent “sellout of the government. Dealing fiercely against political corruption, the public was fiercely against a White House located on Wall Street, not Pennsylvania Avenue. Although Cleveland thought he had not wronged the American people, the Democrats lost the Congressional elections, which are a reflection of the views of the American people. Cleveland’s actions could have led future industrial giants, similar to J.P. Morgan to believe they could manipulate the United States Government if the price was right. Setting an ugly precedent, Cleveland;s decision foreshadowed the future struggle between big business and government.
Influential Decision Following the famous Wabash case, which decreed that individual states had no power to regulate interstate commerce, Cleveland was faced with the challenge of taming the iron horse. After midwestern farmers felt they were being shackled by the railroad, Cleveland helped to pass the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. Hoping to prevent monopolization, the act prohibited rebates and pools by requiring railroads to publish their rates openly. But most importantly, the law established the Interstate Commerce Commission to enforce the new legislation. Cleveland had waged war on unfair business and represented the views of the people. He managed to solve disputes between competing businesses and sought to defend the American dream. The Interstate Commerce Act was also boasted as the first large-scale attempt by Washington to regulate business by accounting for the views of society at large. The government would now play as a watchdog over private industry which could help drive the country through the industrial happening all over. Cleveland may have encouraged Theodore Roosevelt and William Taft to fight against big business, which had a profound effect on the government’s role in private industry. He also passed on a tradition of serving the public interest in private industry to future leaders of the United States government.
Conclusion In the era of “forgettable presidents,” Cleveland at least proved make several crucial economic decisions. Taking on a panic in his second term, Cleveland found a way to stabilize the gold reserve in the Treasury in a way he deemed correct. Faced with an opportunity to switch to bimetallism, Cleveland decided to stay on the gold standard, which may have helped American business grow in foreign markets. Cleveland may have created ideal conditions to push Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson onto the world stage. Cleveland’s lasting impact may have lied on the Interstate Commerce Commission, which would arguably encourage other Presidents to serve as a watchdog for the public over private industry. Although Cleveland failed to have a lasting impact on many aspects other than the economy, he placed America in an ideal position to break its isolationist tradition and grasp difficult challenges abroad. For this reason, Cleveland and his administration deserve a C for their lasting impact on America’s globally influential economy.
Works Cited
Bailey, Thomas Andrew, David M. Kennedy, and Lizabeth Cohen. The American Pageant. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998. Print.
Grover Cleveland: "Inaugural Address," March 4, 1885. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=25824.
Official Proceedings of the Democratic National Convention Held in Chicago, Illinois, July 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, 1896, (Logansport, Indiana, 1896), 226–234.
Wikipedia contributors. "Free silver." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 15 Apr. 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2013.
Wikipedia contributors. "Grover Cleveland." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 14 Apr. 2013. Web. 20 Apr. 2013.
Wikipedia contributors. "Plessy v. Ferguson." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 13 Apr. 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2013.
March 18, 1837 Caldwell, New Jersey - June 24, 1908 Princeton, New Jersey
Political Party: Democrat
Terms: 1st Term- March 4, 1885 - March 4, 1889 2nd Term- March 4, 1893 - March 4, 1897
Vice Presidents: 1st Term-Thomas A. Hendricks 2nd Term- Adlai Stevenson
Thematic Context
During Cleveland’s time in office, globalization was provided with the right conditions to grow in future Presidencies. Still an isolationist country recovering from the Civil War, Cleveland was faced with the daunting decision of continuing the isolationist tradition, or expanding foreign policy. Coming into office with an annual surplus in the Treasury, Cleveland may have been tempted to take a more involved role in foreign countries. In his best interest, Cleveland decided to spend his time focusing on domestic issues. Still facing tensions from slavery, the Supreme Court decided to hear a case involving segregation. Little did they know the case of Plessy v. Ferguson would become a landmark decision. Upholding the Constitutionality of segregational state laws, the decision ruled blacks “separate but equal.” Perhaps all that had been won through the Civil War would struggle to find a social victory in the hearts of many Americans. Still unwilling to grant blacks a victory, this case may have discouraged people of foreign nationalities to come to America in fear they would be treated unjustly. It may have shown that America was not always fighting for a moral cause as it had always claimed to have tried to do. Not only was America struggling to make social gains, but economic systems were also sputtering. During his famous “Cross of Gold” speech, William Jennings Bryan captivated citizens, through the use of Bible imagery, to fight for free silver. Hoping to rally debtors, Bryan was hoping to use silver to make goods more valuable than currency so that debtors could pay off their debts to creditors. Continuing the divide political parties, this battle became pivotal to Presidential elections and international trade. Cleveland proved to be able to handle most of the financial troubles plaguing the nation, but failed to solve social matters. In the long run, Cleveland simply served as a foundation for the growing role of economic globalization, which would later branch off into political and social globalization.
Thesis Statement
Grover Cleveland and his administration deserve a C for their contributions while in office. Thrown into both times of prosperity and depression, Cleveland responded accordingly by addressing the surplus and previous legislation which was hampering the economic systems. Although severe economic differences lengthened the gap between political parties, Cleveland was able to push aside the political demographics and stabilize the economy. Cleveland set up commissions to oversee rampant monopolistic business, which was causing severe strikes and tensions among competition. However Cleveland lost the faith of his followers because of several impulsive decisions which too closely combined big business with the government. Cleveland was far from outstanding, but still managed to drag the United States onward during his time in office.
Goals
Grover Cleveland, a President during the Reconstruction period, took it upon himself to speak of the state of the economy during his first inaugural address. Cleveland mentions, “We should never be ashamed of the simplicity and prudential economies which are best suited to the operation of a republican form of government and most compatible with the mission of the American people.” He wanted to express his deep interest in the heart of America. His deep interest in the Republican heartland of the time stemmed from small New England towns to rural parts of the Midwest, who he believed could regulate the economy and control the moral affairs of the time. Cleveland also took it upon himself to preach of foreign policy. As the frontier faded, Americans would have to travel abroad to expand markets and acquire more land. Cleveland referenced James Monroe in his speech regarding foreign policy when he stated, “"Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliance with none.” Cleveland hoped to develop domestically and avoid a costly relationship with a foreign country, which could greatly hamper the growth of a country still recovering from a debilitating war. In his second inaugural address, Cleveland once again addressed the economy by addressing the money which it relied on. Cleveland thundered, “Manifestly nothing is more vital to our supremacy as a nation and to the beneficent purposes of our Government than a sound and stable currency.” Foreshadowing the upcoming currency battle, Cleveland initiated the fight to stay on the gold standard and fight against bimetallism and the ghastly William Jennings Bryan. Cleveland took to heart that a stable currency was one leap towards a stable economy. President Cleveland also took it upon himself to speak of the great waste of public funds. Cleveland acknowledged that the waste of public money is a crime against the citizen. As one of his underlying schemes, Cleveland was trying to destroy useless actions which sapped the strength of the national character.
Relationship With Congress
Cleveland entered his first term shouldering a large tariff, which was utilized during the Civil War to pay for the costly military expenditures. Exploding American industry loved the benefits of a high tariff, which piled up a surplus and a vast amount of revenue for the use of the government. But Cleveland and most of the country viewed the surplus as embarrassing because Congress was practically shoveling money into the pockets veterans and other self-seeking groups. Hoping to lower prices for consumers and falter the foundation of monopolies, Cleveland petitioned for a low tariff, in which Congress passed to his pleasing. Furthermore, with free silver trying to rumble the economic foundations of the United States, Cleveland was forced to put on his armor to fight for the gold standard. Once the gold reserve dropped below one hundred million dollars in the treasury, Cleveland was forced to work with an exhausted Congress to repeal the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890. Although there was usually heated debate over the daunting economic issues between Democrats and Republicans, Congress worked well with Grover to stabilize and push the economy through Reconstruction.
Positive Event
Grover Cleveland’s best decision came in the form of a repeal. When the gold reserve in the Treasury reached one hundred million dollars, which was the safe minimum to support the outstanding three hundred fifty million dollars, Cleveland pushed a bill through Congress to repeal the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890. At the time, paper notes were being backed by silver bullion the Treasury purchased and could be exchanged for gold. Free silver advocates partition for a bimetal system, in which silver would be treated the same as gold when silver bullion was exchanged between citizens and the mints. However Cleveland feared free silver would push America off the gold standard and create severe tension between debtors and creditors. Cleveland also acknowledged the consequences of free silver, which could choke off international trade in fear of shaky United States credit. Ultimately deciding to side with the growing Populists and Republicans, Cleveland solidified the push to stay on the gold standard. In preventing bimetallism, Cleveland allowed American business to flourish in foreign markets for years to come. If Cleveland had decided to back free silver, the steel and oil industries may have been confined to American markets. Cleveland was able to foresee the dangers of free silver and find support to keep the United States on the gold standard, which may have been a factor in America’s industrial expansion and growing foreign relations.
Negative Event
Perhaps Cleveland’s greatest nightmare came after Cleveland and Congress repealed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890. Hoping to prevent the gold reserve in the treasury from reaching critical levels and ultimately running the United States off the gold standard, Cleveland fought off free silver advocates, all the while passing the Act to prevent the rapid bleeding of gold. But as time passing, gold continued to flow out of the treasury and reached an alarming forty one million dollars. Cleveland contemplated the effects of going off the gold standard, which would surely cripple any American attempt of international trade. With his back shoved against the wall, Cleveland turned to the J.P. Morgan, the “bankers banker.” Morgan agreed to lend the United States government sixty five million dollars in gold, which would temporarily fix the treasury. The public ended up exploding with haste over the apparent “sellout of the government. Dealing fiercely against political corruption, the public was fiercely against a White House located on Wall Street, not Pennsylvania Avenue. Although Cleveland thought he had not wronged the American people, the Democrats lost the Congressional elections, which are a reflection of the views of the American people. Cleveland’s actions could have led future industrial giants, similar to J.P. Morgan to believe they could manipulate the United States Government if the price was right. Setting an ugly precedent, Cleveland;s decision foreshadowed the future struggle between big business and government.
Influential Decision
Following the famous Wabash case, which decreed that individual states had no power to regulate interstate commerce, Cleveland was faced with the challenge of taming the iron horse. After midwestern farmers felt they were being shackled by the railroad, Cleveland helped to pass the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. Hoping to prevent monopolization, the act prohibited rebates and pools by requiring railroads to publish their rates openly. But most importantly, the law established the Interstate Commerce Commission to enforce the new legislation. Cleveland had waged war on unfair business and represented the views of the people. He managed to solve disputes between competing businesses and sought to defend the American dream. The Interstate Commerce Act was also boasted as the first large-scale attempt by Washington to regulate business by accounting for the views of society at large. The government would now play as a watchdog over private industry which could help drive the country through the industrial happening all over. Cleveland may have encouraged Theodore Roosevelt and William Taft to fight against big business, which had a profound effect on the government’s role in private industry. He also passed on a tradition of serving the public interest in private industry to future leaders of the United States government.
Conclusion
In the era of “forgettable presidents,” Cleveland at least proved make several crucial economic decisions. Taking on a panic in his second term, Cleveland found a way to stabilize the gold reserve in the Treasury in a way he deemed correct. Faced with an opportunity to switch to bimetallism, Cleveland decided to stay on the gold standard, which may have helped American business grow in foreign markets. Cleveland may have created ideal conditions to push Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson onto the world stage. Cleveland’s lasting impact may have lied on the Interstate Commerce Commission, which would arguably encourage other Presidents to serve as a watchdog for the public over private industry. Although Cleveland failed to have a lasting impact on many aspects other than the economy, he placed America in an ideal position to break its isolationist tradition and grasp difficult challenges abroad. For this reason, Cleveland and his administration deserve a C for their lasting impact on America’s globally influential economy.
Works Cited
Bailey, Thomas Andrew, David M. Kennedy, and Lizabeth Cohen. The American Pageant. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998. Print.
Grover Cleveland: "Inaugural Address," March 4, 1885. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=25824.
Grover Cleveland: "Inaugural Address," March 4, 1893. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. __http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=25826__.
Official Proceedings of the Democratic National Convention Held in Chicago, Illinois, July 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, 1896, (Logansport, Indiana, 1896), 226–234.
Wikipedia contributors. "Free silver." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 15 Apr. 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2013.
Wikipedia contributors. "Grover Cleveland." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 14 Apr. 2013. Web. 20 Apr. 2013.
Wikipedia contributors. "Plessy v. Ferguson." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 13 Apr. 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2013.